The Power of Women in Navajo Civilization

The Power of Women in Navajo Civilization Name Institution The Power of Women in Navajo Civilization Several myths explaining the origin of the earth and the human kind have been documented by various scholars who studied the oral tradition of different societies. The emergence of the myth of the Dine, also known as the Navajo creation story, has drawn the attention of many historians and readers across the world (Zolbrod, 1984). The civilization story concentrates on the origin of the earth starting from four sacred colors and directions, and the origin of the human starting with the first man and woman. The myth of the Navajo creation revealed five levels of worlds ranging from the first world to the fifth world. The first people who inhabited the Navajo land were referred to as the first people and were not like the current human beings but were spirits. Starting from the first world, women showed a unique character that proved their powerfulness in the entire lives of the humanity. The power of women started with the first woman in the first world and was manifested in the special things that she could manage to start and accomplish. The Navajo civilization story shows clearly, the importance and the powerfulness of female beings in a society and the world as a whole. Considering the first word in the Navajo's civilization story, the female beings were represented by the Black Cloud, showing their importance in the society. Normally, the black clouds are associated with rains that are very crucial in the lives of human beings (Zolbrod, 1984). The rain is usually associated with good agricultural harvests and healthy lives of all the creatures of the world. Relating the concept of the importance of the rains with the sign that was assigned to the female being in the Navajo civilization myth, it is apparent that female being played a crucial role in the initial Navajo community. It was believed that life slept in the darkness of the female being, which was practical when a child slept while being nursed by the mother. The mother role of women was seen as the source of life. Even though the first woman from the myth was believed to be a spirit in form of the black clouds, the current roles of women in the society are related to the mythical roles of the first woman. It was believed that life could not exist without the input of the women. The evidence of the belief is captured in the story of the first world when men and women separated but later realized that they could not survive without each other. The men could not stay in the absence of the women hence, they seek their presence again. In other words, women played a very important role in the lives of the men and the world as a whole. According to Navajo mythology about the third world, the power of women is clearly portrayed by the actions of that were taken by the first woman to plead with the most powerful creature about their suffering (Zolbrod, 1984). The first woman took an attempt at addressing all the grievances the people had been facing on earth. Her requests were heard and all the demands were addressed. Therefore, it is clear that female being was a powerful being in the Navajo civilization. It is through women's efforts that the divided ancient people discussed in the mythology came together. Relating the concept in the modern life, women are very crucial people in ensuring peaceful coexistence among various communities and the world. They usually feel sad when they witness the suffering in humanity and can do anything to help the situation, as portrayed in the civilization story. From the story, it is apparent that women can bring back broken families and restore broken relationships. The capability to unite people is a powerful feature that has shown respect and developments in the modern world. Since various communities believe in their respective myths, the Navajo civilization story would automatically inspire the current society towards the beliefs such the role of women, which can be then embraced and promoted by modern civilizations. The power of women comes in, following the twin births that were given by the first woman. Apparently, the woman had eventually contributed to the expansion of humankind on earth. The children that were given birth to intermarried to give rise to a great community of individuals. Hence, women are associated with the creation of new lives through births and nursing of the children who eventually lead to an expansion of human population (Zolbrod, 1984). The role of taking care of the children is usually devoted to women, a true reflection of the roles played by the first woman in the Navajo civilization story. The roles include offering security and protection to the children, offering food, clothing, and shelter. Women normally understand the well-being of their children compared to men, thus, showing their power in the modern society. Through the efforts of the first woman, she made sure her set of twins live a better life after marrying each other. Though marrying members of the same family seemed to be incest, the first woman saw it wise allowing her children to get married since it was the only option of ensuring continuity in humanity. Women needed men and men also needed women for companion and siring children. So it was her happiness to see her children enjoy the joy of having a family. Such efforts made by the first woman are a clear sign of the importance and the powerfulness of female being in the society and even in the whole world (Zolbrod, 1984). As portrayed by the first woman, she was determined to teach each of her children their roles as males or females. For example, the female had to know how to prepare meals, and fetch firewood and water. Considering the marriages that took place among first woman's children, the marriages were considered shameful and no man was giving out any solution on how to deal with the situation. The first woman took the full responsibi...